The Special Premiere of Where is Anne Frank, a moving and eloquent film that captures the values and messages shared by Anne Frank in her diary, was screened at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on Wednesday 1 December, in partnership with the Anne Frank Fonds Basel.
The animated film by Ari Folman is inspired by Anne Frank’s Diary and narrates Anne’s life and story through her imaginary best friend Kitty.
This film is not only an account of Anne’s life and suffering as a Jewish girl hiding from Nazi persecution, but an exploration of her questions about humanity and what it means to be a citizen of the world, in the past and the present.
Where is Anne Frank is accompanied by educational materials developed by the Anne Frank Fonds in partnership with UNESCO, that teach learners about the history of the Holocaust, antisemitism, asylum and human rights.
Speaking at the event, UNESCO’s Director General, Audrey Azoulay, said, “UNESCO is committed to teaching the history of the Holocaust, preventing genocide and combating antisemitism.
It was therefore evident that UNESCO should host this film, and this screening now mobilizes us further by reminding us how much the arts and culture can contribute to these efforts.”
The film screening was followed by an exchange with Ari Folman. “We really need to portray the story [of the Holocaust] in new ways, to reach the hearts and the minds of students all around the world,” he explained. “This is what we tried to achieve with this film.”
To learn more about the process of developing the film, watch this interview with Ari Folman for UNESCO social media:
Anne Frank’s diaries are inscribed into the UNESCO Memory of the World register, to protect and preserve her unique accounts and to share her testimony with audiences worldwide.
UNESCO is committed to advancing Holocaust education and remembrance worldwide, to help learners become critical thinkers, responsible and active global citizens who reject antisemitism, racism and other forms of prejudice that can lead to violence and genocide.
Learn more about UNESCO’s programmes to educate about the Holocaust and genocide.
Photos © Claire Demoute